News Release

Ontario Improving Public Transit Across the GTHA

New projects will ease congestion, bring faster commutes and more time with friends and family

TORONTO — Ontario is delivering on its promise to get people moving with better transit service that will make lives better and ensure Ontario is open for business and jobs.

Starting today, 11 municipalities across the GTHA can apply for funding to support new transit projects through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Public Transit Stream. These projects, including the five transit projects nominated in Toronto and York Region in May could unlock up to $12.45 billion in federal and provincial funding.

"People in Ontario count on infrastructure to get to work, shop and get home to their families," said Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure. "Our government's investments in the GTHA will make public transit infrastructure better, safer and more accessible."

The Province will continue to work with the federal government, and ask that it further increase funding towards priority transit projects.

"Our economy, our communities and our families all rely on good infrastructure," said Minister Scott. "Ontario's investment towards these projects will build and improve urban transit networks and extend services that will transform the way people live, move and work."

"These projects represent a step forward in helping people and goods move around the GTHA quickly and efficiently," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. "Combining the resources of the federal and provincial governments helps to deliver on our commitment to a balanced, fiscally-responsible plan for public transit infrastructure projects. These projects will reduce congestion and create new transportation capacity throughout the region."

"We are keeping our promise to invest in and build better public transit," said Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA). "Our economy, our communities and our families all rely on good transit infrastructure. We are making strategic investments across the GTA that will drive job creation and reduce travel time for commuters so our province can get moving."

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a $30-billion, 10-year infrastructure program cost-shared between federal, provincial and municipal governments. Ontario’s share per project will be up to 33.33 per cent, or $10.2 billion spread across four streams:
Rural and Northern, Public Transit, Green, and Community, Culture and Recreation.

Ontario is currently reviewing over 200 applications received by more than 50 municipalities for transit projects outside the GTHA.

The government also nominated 15 major transit projects in the City of Toronto, Region of York and City of London to the federal government for approval, as well as 144 road, bridge, air and marine infrastructure projects under the Rural and Northern stream.